The dean of UC Berkeley's law school said Monday he was "extremely troubled" by the arrest of two law students who allegedly beheaded an exotic bird in Las Vegas.

Christopher Edley Jr., the head of UC Berkeley School of Law, said he was concerned about "the students' actions off campus, but it's up to the Nevada legal system to examine the facts and rule in this case. It's premature to speculate about any possible consequences. The justice system must run its course."

Eric Cuellar, 24, and Justin Teixeira, 24, appeared in a Clark County court Monday but have not been charged. Prosecutors are seeking more information about the incident from police. The two were ordered to return to court Feb. 11.

The men were seen throwing a dead 14-year-old helmeted guinea fowl, talking about how it was killed and "laughing about it" at the Flamingo Hotel about 9:35 a.m. Friday, Las Vegas police said in a statement.

Video surveillance captured the men "chasing the bird into the trees" at the hotel's wildlife habitat, police said.

"A witness then observed the suspects emerge from the trees, carrying the body and severed head of the bird," police said. The gray-black bird has a round body and a small head.

Cuellar and Teixeira refused to speak to detectives, police officials said. The men did not respond to requests for comment Monday.

Teixeira is in his third and final year at UC Berkeley School of Law and served as a law clerk last year with the U.S. Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division, according to online profiles.

The two were booked at the Clark County Detention Center on suspicion of conspiracy and willful, malicious torture or killing of wildlife, both felonies. They have since made bail.

The hotel's wildlife habitat features flamingos, swans, ducks, koi and turtles that are tended by experts and live on islands and streams "surrounded by sparkling waterfalls and lush foliage," according to the hotel's website.